Willpower Reservoir
Kyetu Catalyst. A spark to ignite change!
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Nothing good happens after 10 p.m.
Well with respect to food and snacking, that is.
Because here I am, AGAIN, standing in front of the pantry at 10 p.m.
I open the door, then close it.
"No," I tell myself, "I'm not hungry."
"I just ate dinner."
Yet, I still want something from that pantry. Anything.
Does this ever happen to you? Can you relate?
I can have an incredibly healthful day, making fabulous nutrition choices, but then something crazy happens in the later evening. It’s like a witching hour of bad snacking.
And that's what I wanna talk about in today's Kyetu Catalyst.
Have you ever noticed how making decisions feels more challenging as the day progresses? Or how it's easier to resist temptations in the morning than in the evening? There’s science behind this phenomenon, and we’re going to explore it together.
Let’s start with the foundational concept of willpower. Willpower is often described as a finite resource, similar to a muscle that gets tired with use. This idea is supported by the research of psychologist Roy Baumeister, who introduced the theory of "ego depletion." In his book "Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength," Baumeister explains that our self-control and decision-making abilities get exhausted as we use them throughout the day.
The science behind this is quite compelling. According to Baumeister, every act of self-control or decision-making depletes a limited supply of mental energy. As this energy diminishes, so does our ability to exert willpower. This is why tasks that require self-control, such as resisting temptations or making difficult decisions, become increasingly challenging as the day wears on.
In a study conducted by Baumeister and colleagues, participants who had to exert self-control in a task showed reduced willpower in subsequent tasks. This finding highlights the cumulative effect of decision-making and self-control on our mental resources. Essentially, each decision we make and each temptation we resist takes a little bit out of our willpower reservoir.
To make the most of this, it's important to strategically plan our day around the natural ebb and flow of our willpower. Here are a few ideas to help you.
Tackle your most challenging tasks early in the day when your willpower is at its peak. This could include tasks that require deep focus, creative problem-solving, or significant self-control.
Reduce the number of decisions you have to make by establishing routines. For example, decide on your meals, outfit, or schedule the night before. This way, you conserve your willpower for more critical decisions during the day.
Regular breaks throughout the day can help replenish your mental energy. Even short breaks can restore some of your willpower, making it easier to stay focused and disciplined.
Ready to do an exercise? Grab your journal now and take a few minutes to answer the following questions.
What are the top three decisions or tasks that drain your willpower the most throughout the day?
How can you structure your day to tackle high-willpower tasks when your energy is highest?
Reflect on a time when you struggled to maintain willpower in the evening. What could you have done differently to manage your energy better?
Understanding how willpower wanes throughout the day can help you strategically plan your activities to align with your natural energy levels. By doing so, you can maximize your productivity and maintain better self-control.
Thanks for joining us on today’s Kyetu Catalyst. Please share our podcast with family, friends, and in your social networks. You just might be someone else’s spark to ignite change!
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